I purchased a set of redding dies. I was told redding where the best on the market. When trying to reload I was constantly getting stuck cases. The only way I didn't get stuck cases is if I used lots of lube at which point I would get ugly dents on the case necks. I was fairly new to reloading and was getting very frustrated. I called redding and they told me it was my fault and that the dies had to be seasoned first. I then tried two more types of lube and after ruining 100 cases or so I new something was up. On the phone again with redding they told me that it was impossible for there dies to be out of specs and that it was my fault and they would not refund my money or replace the dies. I then got a set of rcbs dies and from then on never had a problem. Needless to say I will never buy redding dies again. I'm sure I just got a Lemmon but what pissed me off was they would not work with me on it. If they even offered to look at them my opinion may be different.

Did you clean the dies out with a good solvent.
Redding puts a lot of preservative goop on their dies and it acts as an anti lube.

Just guessing you had problem with a case with minimum body taper like a 7mm 08 or similar?

I had the same problem to a lesser degree with
RCBS dies....

You ruined a hundred cases? You must be a determined sort of fellow. I have Redding dies and never had a problem. Hard to fathom, the only way cases could stick is if the die was not polished correctly (assuming good lube). I would be glad to look at your dies for you if you want. What lube did you use? I had taught a friend to re-load, and he definitely had all the basics down pat. He called me later and said he was having trouble with cases sticking. I asked him about his lube practice; he said he had lost his tube of RCBS lube, but figured 3 in one oil was just as good. wow. Not saying you are doing anything wrong, you understand.

When I first got the dies I cleaned them with carb cleaner before I used them. I first tried one shot lube then robs case lube and a wax type lube.

Imperial Sizing Wax.
I try to put very little on the outside of the case neck. I use a cotton swap to put some lube on the interior of the case neck. I put a bit of lube on the case body starting at the shoulder.

I pretty much got the same results from a set of custom dies a few years back. They did take the die and check it and said it was in tolerance with there specs.
cheap lee dies are better made.
but I will say I have not owned any of the bushing die that everyone likes they may be better.
At the time a custom die was $125 I thought the quality would be better.
Dave

I too have never had problems with Redding dies. Did you clean them thoroughly and lub them and the empties with case lub (I like one shot) before using the first time? I'd be tempted to send them back to Redding with a note that these dies do not work and they can have them back.

i quit using redding because the lack of a bleed hole. also i had a set of 219 DW dies that were .0030 out of spec & they told me that that was impossible

Welcome to Redding's customer suppport treatment. I have a couple sets of Redding dies, but almost everything I have is from RCBS.

There is a reason... and you just experienced it. Sorry guy, but it is what it is.

I have received excellent support from Redding several times but I am very supicious of the lack of a vent hole in bottle neck dies.


Some of the over lubing can come from using a wimpy press that does not have the guts to size a normal case. So the operator piles on more and more lube and dents the case. The lube or the die gets the blame when the tinker toy press was the problem.

Quality wise Redding dies are among the best. Years ago many manufacturers started leaving out the vent holes in the sizer die. RCBS told me it was because it wasn't needed.

Now I'll tell you about the new RCBS dies. I make things out of dies that they weren't meant for. I found the new RCBS sizer die will crack easily. I got a replacement and then took the cracked die and put it in my lathe to turn it. They have a hard coating on the outside. Once you get through that layer which is only a few thousandths thick the steel lathed like lead. It was very soft. Previously I had to either use a carbide cutter tool or anneal the older RCBS. RCBS is a great company with great customer support, but I won't ever buy their dies again. What I do is look for the older RCBS dies on Ebay.

Now to the original op. Just like SR4759 said clean the die first and clean it well. Next make sure your brass is clean. I don't mean you have to tumble it, but at least free of dirt and dust. Next make sure you have a good lube such as some mentioned. I use Imperial Wax myself and I now make my own form of imperial wax. I wonder too if the brass you are having problems sizing was fired in an oversize chamber.

I've had a few bugs with Redding dies but not as many as the other brands.

Another top of the line die is Forster.

I have had denting problems with Redding dies as well, especially in small cases, 17FB, 17 Rem, 204R. That issues seems far less common in RCBS dies. With Redding dies it is easy to get too much or too little lube on the case.
I have become fairly proficient in avoiding dents by trial and error amounts of lube.

I started out with Forester Dies (deep in my mind, I'm convinced they are junk, I had problems). I had one Redding, micrometer die and actually liked it. Get that Imperial sizing wax; it solved all my problems and clean those dies regularly.

I've been slowly switching over to RCBS dies with that view slot in the side, but really it's the customer service; heck they are even better than Dave at Brownells.

quote:

Originally posted by df06:
I have had denting problems with Redding dies as well, especially in small cases, 17FB, 17 Rem, 204R. That issues seems far less common in RCBS dies. With Redding dies it is easy to get too much or too little lube on the case.
I have become fairly proficient in avoiding dents by trial and error amounts of lube.

ding ding
We have a winner.

Much of the denting is associated with rounds with mickey mouse little rims. In order to prevent pulling the dinky little rims off we slop on a lot of lube. Then you get the dents.
When it comes to avoidance of denting the a big heavy rim and a heavy press works magic. Minimal case lube is required because the rim and the press can take the resizing forces.

I am still convinced the vent holes are needed since I can often hear air escaping from the vent holes.

You should polish the dies with Flitz or a similar product! You won't have any problems with dies from any manufacture!

Steve

Several years ago I had a set of Redding dies in 257 Robt Imp. and they seemed to be scratching brass noticeably more than they should and when I called them they said to send them back so I did and received them back in about 9 days with a nice letter saying they were within specs and working like they should. when I tried them they were still scratching the brass just as bad. I called them and they said it couldn't because he was the one that looked at my dies. I had an acquaintance that had a set so I tried them and they worked perfect and as he had sold his 257 Bob Imp he swapped die sets with me saying he would polish them in case he ever got another Bob Imp. Since then I have acquired about 4 other sets of Redding dies and haven't had one problem with them.

Steve E..........

I'd have to guess a lube problem. I haven't had a problem with a Redding die that I haven't caused. I ran a case into a full length sizing die that had some corn cob in it still and bent the stem. As far as their customer service goes when I called to order a replacement they sent it for free even when I told them it was my fault. I haven't stuck a case yet, I have had an occasional excess lube dent in the few thousand rounds I've reloaded (1 in a hundred?), again not the die.

I also know a lot of people who don't like One Shot. I've never used it but have heard that you have to wait for the solvent to dry out of it all the way. I use lanolin and alcohol as lube. Either way try this to see if it works for you. Put about a hundred cases in a gallon zip top bag. Spray your lube on to the brass and roll/shake the cases in the bag to distribute the lube. Dump the cases into a pan. I use a 9 x 13 baking pan, see if the cases all have lube on them. If not back in the bag for another spray (count how many sprays/pumps total that's how much you'll always need). Let the lube dry, shake pan to if you have to circulate the bass. Then size as normal.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve E.:
Several years ago I had a set of Redding dies in 257 Robt Imp. and they seemed to be scratching brass noticeably more than they should and when I called them they said to send them back so I did and received them back in about 9 days with a nice letter saying they were within specs and working like they should. when I tried them they were still scratching the brass just as bad. I called them and they said it couldn't because he was the one that looked at my dies. I had an acquaintance that had a set so I tried them and they worked perfect and as he had sold his 257 Bob Imp he swapped die sets with me saying he would polish them in case he ever got another Bob Imp. Since then I have acquired about 4 other sets of Redding dies and haven't had one problem with them.

Steve E..........

I have the same problem with a set of Redding 260Rem dies, neck sizing with graphite. Never a problem in any other caliber. Sent to importer, said they are in spec and polished them, same problem persists. The scratcing started to appear after about 150 loads. Not happy.

Cheers, Chris

not to change the subject, but my rcbs die distorts the tips of my bullets .. what can I do about that?

No problem with Redding dies.
I have used Redding.Wilson and RCBS.
The only dies that did not function properly were RCBS.-My 500NE seating die would not seat at the bullet cannelure and crimp at the same place.
The cheap brass lock screw was worthless too.
I also received a 500 Jeffrey expander die instead of a 500NE die in the set.
Why should I waste my time and contact customer support?
What about all the time I waste including the expensive mangled bullets and cases I wasted?

When you have enough experience to know what you're doing , you will encounter less faults with your tools ! Get yourself a lube pad and some Lyman case lube , and your problems will disappear . Don't over lube , it causes dents . As to ruining a hundred cases before trying to figure out the problem , here's your sign . 80% of my dies are Redding and I've never had a problem with any of them !

I might add that if I where limiting my reloading to everything up to 300WM I would only use Wilson stainless steel dies and a Redding small base body sizing die.

Another vote for Redding. I own all brands but nowadays all new axcquisitions are Redding. The best dies I own are Redding's competition sets (neck sizer with interchangeable collets, body die and micrometer seating die).